Play Capture the Flag, Box with a President, Meet Past Presidents, First Ladies and More
Is meeting a U.S. president on your bucket list?
Conner Prairie Interactive History Park is offering the public the chance to interact with several presidents and first ladies from America’s past, and all for free on Presidents Day.
In celebration of the holiday, Conner Prairie, Indiana’s only Smithsonian Affiliate, will open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 17 with free admission to all.
Visitors won’t just get to meet these famous figures, but also sing with George Washington, box with Andrew Jackson, strut in an 1860s fashion show with Mary Todd Lincoln, learn about grave robbing from Benjamin Harrison, compete in a Revolutionary War version of capture the flag and much more.
Activities
Most activities are ongoing throughout the day, except where noted.
- Compete in a carnival-style shooting game in Teddy Roosevelt’s favorite Wild West and safari expedition settings, using safe marshmallow guns. Can you hit the targets?
- Warm up in an old-timey boxing workout then square off safely in the ring – like gentlemen – with Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren.
- Compete in the Revolutionary War version of capture the flag. Guests on two teams, the Americans and the British, will strategically and safely battle it out.
- Decorate and sign a card to celebrate George Washington’s birthday with a surprise party at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
- Learn about Franklin D. Roosevelt’s goal to bring electricity to rural America then electrify a 1930s farmhouse. Enjoy a fireside chat with FDR at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
- Scrutinize Ulysses S. Grant’s Presidential Cabinet of Curiosities. Which outrageous, historic and odd items are real and fake?
- Learn the do’s and don’ts of 1860s fashion with Mary Todd Lincoln. Try on period clothing, decorate paper dolls, and strut in a 19th-century fashion show at noon.
- Discover more from Belva Lockwood and Edith and Woodrow Wilson about women’s suffrage, participate in the fun by making your own speech, parade signs and sashes, and vote on various topics. Rally in a parade at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Sing patriotic songs with Lady Liberty and Washington at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m.
- Meet Abraham Lincoln, ask him questions or seek his advice at 2:30 p.m.
- Other activities include trying on presidential facial hair, learning about embarrassing presidential moments, discovering a president’s connection to grave robbing, decorating a clothespin to look like Abe Lincoln and much, much more.
Treat yourself to lunch and enjoy deli sandwiches, hot dogs, corn chowder, pretzels, hot chocolate and more. Visitors are welcome to bring their own lunches as well. After lunch, visit the Conner Prairie Store, open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to find souvenirs, toys, books, Indiana-made items and more.
Join us for free on Feb. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a Presidents Day celebration you won’t forget.
For more information, call (317) 776-6006, visit connerprairie.org, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @ConnerPrairie.